Tempe Economic Development Division
www.tempe.gov/business
(480) 350-8812
E-mail: Sheri Wakefield-Saenz

The Economic Development Office can help identify state and local resources for existing, new and expanding companies in Tempe. Employee training programs, financial assistance programs as well as general information about industrial and commercial space, the labor force and the Arizona and Tempe business climate can be provided. Meetings with appropriate contacts at the local utility companies, the Arizona Department of Commerce, Arizona State University, Maricopa Community Colleges, etc, can also be arranged.

Tempe Chamber of Commerce
www.tempechamber.org
(480) 967-7891
E-mail: info@TempeChamber.org

The fourth largest Chamber of Commerce in Arizona offers more than 1,100 members and is accredited by the US Chamber of Commerce. The Tempe Chamber of Commerce committees provide lobbying efforts and networking opportunities to promote business in Tempe and the metropolitan area. Committees include: Business Development, Manufacturers, Tech Task Force, Women in Business, Small Business, Government Relations and Transportation, among others.

Greater Phoenix Economic Council
(602) 256-7700
www.gpec.org
E-mail: info@gpec.org

A true public/private partnership, the greater Phoenix Economic council (GPEC) is a cooperative effort of many groups, including Maricopa County and 14 communities within it, educational institutions such as Arizona State University and the Maricopa Community Colleges and a roster of more than 150 private-sector business partners. GPEC’s mission is to leverage public-private resources to attract new businesses to the metropolitan area.

Arizona Department of Commerce
(602) 280-1300
www.azcommerce.com

The Arizona Department of Commerce (ADOC) is the state’s community and economic development authority. The Department works with communities, businesses and economic development organizations to build the foundation for a strong economy and superior quality of life through the development of competitive industries and sustainable communities.

Business Development
(602) 280-1331 or (800) 528-8421
www.azcommerce.com/busattraction

The Arizona Department of Commerce Business Development Division provides a single point of contact for statewide site selection and business resource assistance.

Services include: an overview of the state and its economy; customized research; lists of available sites and facilities; presentation of incentive programs and application assistance; coordination of meetings with local community leadership and listings of utilities, financial institutions, suppliers, builders, developers, architects and trainers.

Small Business Services
(602) 280-1480 or (800) 542-5684
www.azcommerce.com/smallbus

Small Business Services is a resource center for information, referrals, and advice for every stage of small business development. A virtual representative is available to answer questions, and generate a list of resources customized for your specific business requirements.

Center for Workforce Development
(480) 731-8220
www.dist.maricopa.edu/workforce

The Maricopa Community Colleges provide customized workforce training to thousands of employees of the valley’s businesses and industries.

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Contact: Sheryl Hesketh
(480) 784-0590
E-mail: sherylhesketh@domail.maricopa.edu

Serving Maricopa County, the Maricopa SBDC offers free one-on-one counseling to small business owners. Experienced counselors will counsel clients on business plan development, financial planning, human resources, process development, sales, marketing and more.

East Valley Employment Service
(480) 962-7678

The East Valley Employment Service provides a variety of services to help employers fill jobs by finding qualified, interested people. Job Service provides employees of all types including professional and technical, skilled and unskilled, full and part-time, and permanent or temporary. Services include screening of applicants and use of offices for interviewing prospective employees.

Business and Industry Institute
(480) 461-6100
bii.mc.maricopa.edu

Mesa Community College’s Business and Industry Institute (B&II) is a key training resource offering courses in network administration, database technologies, programming, fiber optics, workplace skills, and preparation for industry certification exams. Courses are offered in a variety of formats including traditional college credit semester based courses, Internet based courses, eight-week formats and intense one-week formats. Customized training is provided at company work sites, meeting sites and a high tech facility in the heart of downtown Mesa. B&II is a an authorized training partner with Sun Microsystems, Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, Novell and Lotus.

Maricopa Workforce Connections (MWC)
(602) 506-WORK
www.hsd.maricopa.gov/wdd
E-mail: mwc@mail.maricopa.gov

Maricopa Workforce Connections provides a range of services for employers and job seekers in order to address workforce development needs. The mission of Maricopa Workforce is to promote workforce excellence by developing and providing qualified individuals and other resources to employers.

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
(602) 745-7250
www.scorearizona.org/phoenix

SCORE offers free counseling to small businesses or to individuals who may be considering going into business for themselves and to established businesses that may be having difficulties and desire counseling. Seminars on a variety of business topics are also open to the public. There is a nominal fee for SCORE training programs. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

U.S. Small Business Administration
(602) 745-7200
www.sba.gov

The Arizona District of the U.S. Small Business Administration works with community resources to provide financial assistance and business counseling to Arizona for-profit small businesses. Some services include:

Low Documentation Loan Program

Loans of up to $150,000 are provided by local lenders with a guarantee of up to 85 percent by the SBA under this program. LowDoc loans are available for working capital, debt payment, equipment and inventory purchases, construction or purchasing existing real estate. Loan approval is based upon the character, credit experience, and reliability of the small business applicant. Applicants should contact their lenders for additional information and applications.

SBA Pre-Qualification Loan Program

This loan program is designed to assist new markets in the loan application process. The program is available to veterans of the Armed Forces, women owned businesses, minorities, rural areas, exporters, and other segments of the small business community that traditionally may have been underserved by the lending community. This program has a maximum loan amount of $250,000, with maturities generally 5 to 10 years excluding real estate, which can be up to 25 years.

504 Certified Development Company Program
Business Development Finance Corporation
(602) 381-6292

The objective of the 504 Program is to achieve community economic development through job creation and retention. Long-term, fixed-rate financing is provided to small businesses to acquire real estate, machinery or equipment for expansion or modernization.

SBA Microloan Program
http://www.sba.gov/financing/sbaloan/microloans.html

Small businesses are eligible for loans from $2,000 up to $35,000 for working capital, and for purchase of machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures, inventory, and supplies under this program. Microloans must be repaid within six years.

Small Business Innovation Research Program
Small Business High Technology Institute
Telephone: (602) 277-6603
www.SBIR.dsu.edu

The federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program provides approximately $1.2 billion annually to American small businesses ready for early-stage research and development projects. The program attempts to achieve successful technology transfer (converting research into new products/services and, eventually, commercialization.) Competing companies must have fewer than 500 employees, be independently owned, and be controlled and owned by U.S. citizens.

The process begins with ten federal agencies publishing solicitations, which describe areas of research they will fund. Small businesses then submit written proposals for funding of their research projects. These proposals are evaluated competitively, and grants or contracts are awarded to projects on the basis of technology excellence and potential importance to the private sector or government.

International Trade Division and Foreign Trade Offices
(602) 280-1371
www.azcommerce.com/export

The Arizona Department of Commerce International Trade and Investment Division provides individualized export counseling, trade missions, valuable contacts, background information, the most recent statistics on trade and current market research for small to medium-size Arizona businesses